Ink roller vibrator



9, E950 c. s. CRAFTS ETAL 2,505,773

INK ROLLER VIBRATOR Filed Dec. 18, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Curti 5. Croigt-r-romNmM-f C. s. CRAFTS ETAL,

INK ROLLER vIBRAToR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVfN-rcw Curtis S. Cm mi ll im H5'Gm 01mm with@ @QE Zaimner- May 9, N50

Filed Dec. 18, 1946 May 9, 195@ c. s. GRAF-rs ETAL 2,506,778

INK ROLLER VIBRATOR Filed Dec. 18, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Curtis 5;Crafts @Milham ciYflQlcm.

Hiram Cfznmmew CMJMNZMMM-f C-'r-romww 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ca. ves. CRAFTSErm..

mx ROLLER vrxA'roR NVELNWO Ouvtis S Cvmts Wnlliumdpnolan GWHHGmGZimmew Iuns Patented May 9, 1950 T E S INK ROLLER VIBRATOR Application December18.1946, Serial No. '116,910

(Cl. lill-348) 12 claims. l

The present invention relates to printing presses and more particularlyto an improved means for reciprocating the rollers in the inkingmechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improvedink roller vibrator unit of self-contained construction in which thereciprocating eiiort is applied axially to the shaft of the ink rollerand in which side thrust thereon is substantially eliminated.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved ink rollervibrator unit which may be detachably secured to the side frame of arotary printing press adjacent the ends of an ink roller and a drivenmember such as an ink drum,

and in which the rotation of the latter is utilizedA to produce axialreciprocation of the ink roller.

It is a related object to provide a separable coupling between thevibrator unit and the ends of the ink rollers which enables the inkrollers to be adjusted to a laterally offset position to accommodatevarious roller` sizes and which further enables either the vibrator unitor the rollers to be removed and replaced with a minimum expenditure oftime and eiort.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved mechanismfor axially vibrating a pai'r of ink rollers in which the axial movementof the rollers is oppositely phased and which includes unitary means forsimultaneously adjusting the stroke or amplitude of vibration.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a unitary inkroller vibrator of the above type which includes a self-containedlubricating system and in which the movement of the output -member issuch as to enable the use of simplified sealing means for preventing theescape of lubricant.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide aself-contained roller vibrator unit utilizing an off center drivingmeans and having provision for adjusting the eccentricity thereof whichis readily accessible from the outside of the unit and which furtherincludes means for positively preventing any accidental change in suchadjustment once it has been made.

In general, it is an object of the invention to provide an ink rollervibrator unit of improved and inexpensive construction, smooth and quietin operation, and in which the bearing surfaces are constructed and-arranged and so lubricated that maintenance is reduced to a minimum.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows'a typicl arrangement of rollers and drums employed toconvey an evenly distributed iilm of ink from the fountain to the platecylinder and incorporating rollers to be actuated by a vibratorconstructed in accordance with our invention. a

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view in partial section of a vibratingunit constructed in accordance with our teachings and as arranged alongthe section line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in elevation taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2and showing'the socket arrangement for supporting the ink rollers andfor. laterally adjusting the' rollers with respect to a cooperatingdrum.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view in partial section taken along line5-5 of Fig. 2 and showing in detail the means for coupling the vibratorunit to the shaft of an ink roller. l

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 2 andshowing the means for adjusting the amplitude of roller vibration.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a modiiied form of vibratorembodying the invention in which four ink rollers may be simultaneouslyvibrated by power derived from a single drive shaft.

Fig. 8 is a view in partial section taken along line 8--8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view in elevation taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8and axially with respect to the ink rollers.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, we have shown in the drawings and will hereindescribe in detail two preferred embodiments, but it is to be understoodthat we do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specificforms disclosed, but intend to cover all modications and alternativeconstructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

In the design of rotary printing presses it is important that the ink beworked into a 131m which is as nearly as possible of uniform thicknessbefore it is conveyed to the printing surface of the plate cylinder.Experience has shown that the best way of eiecting uniform ink transfer,in view of the serious space limitations and high operating speeds of amodern letter press, is by mea-ns of auxiliary ink transferring rollerswhich are axially vibrated. To accomplish this, various types ofvibrating mechanisms have been devised and are shown in the patentedart. However,

such prior art vibrators have various shortcomings and defects which, asa practical matter, have severely limited their usefulness.

As an example of the above, the use of a bell crank frequentlyemployed-for effecting reciprocation of the ink rollers isdisadvantageous since the force applied to the roller has a. componentperpendicular to the bearing surfaces. Even where the parts are soarranged as to reduce such lateral force, the repetitive applicationcauses an increased amount of wear so that the bearings soon becomenoisy and unsatisfactory. Then too, prior art vibrators are not welladapted for ready removal nor are they applicable for use with a widevariety of roller sizes.

It is desirable, on the other hand, that a vibrator be so constructedand arranged as to operate satisfactorily with a range of rollerdiameters Without changing the direction of the force applied to the inkroller. Furthermore, in view of the high cost of maintenance andshutdowns, it has been found highly desirable that a vibrator be of aunitary construction which is both independent of the press as regardslubrication and which may be easily and quickly removed and replacedshould the latter become necessary for any reason whatsoever. As thediscussion proceeds it will be seen that the novel and improvedstructure which is disclosed herein not only contains to a marked extentthe advantages alluded to, but includes many additional structuraladvantages and features.

In order to more readily understand the construction of the vibrator, itis pointed out that the figures may be divided into two primary groups.The first group consists of Figs. 1 to 6 showing the construction andmanner of use of a preferred embodiment, while the second group includesFigs. 7 to 9 showing an alternative structure which will be described indetail under a separate heading.

Embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6 Referring now to Fig. 1, the arrangement ofrollers and drums for conveying a film of ink from the fountain to thesurface of the plate cylinder is shown schematically and withoutreference to mechanical detail. While this arrangement is one which hasbeen advantageously used in connection with our invention, it is hardlynecessary to point out that the scheme shown in this gure is merely oneof many which may be used. As shown, ink passes from a fountain roller Ito a first ink drum and a second ink drum I2 via intermediate feedrollers I4 and I5. Vibrating rollers I6, I8 and I9, 28, whose amplitudeof vibration is xed, bear upon the ink drums |I and I2 respectively, andassist in producing an even lm of ink thereon. Next, ink is tranferredto a main ink drum 2| by means oi a transfer roller 22. The ink passessuccessively to auxiliary ink drums 24, form rollers 25, and thence tothe plate cylinder 26. Inserted between the main ink drum 2| and theauxiliary ink drums 24 are vibrating rollers 28, 29 and it is with thevibration of the latter rollers that the present invention isparticularly concerned. The structure for accomplishing such vibrationto be described in detail is oriented generally along the line 2-2.

As shown in detail in Fig. 2, and in accordance with the presentinvention, the vibrating mechanism is driven from a rotating element,here drum 2 I, which is alined with and adjacent to the vibrated rollers28, 29. Prior' to discussing the details disclosed in Fig. 2 it will behelpful to consider the vibrator in a broader sense as a selfcontainedunit which may be bolted or otherwise fastened to the side frame of amodern letterpress. The entire vibrating mechanism, it will be noted, iscontained within a unitary housing 30 having a support or bracket 21 forsecuring the same to the exterior of the side frame 3| of the press,`forexample, by means of bolts 32. Shaft 33 of the main ink drum 2l isrotatively received in the side frame 3|, being vprovided at its endwith a separable coupling 34 which drivingly engages a stub shaft 35projecting inwardly within the supporting bracket 21. With the housing30 arranged as shown the portions thereof adjacent the bracket arespaced from and overhang the press frame.

The vibrating rollers 28, 29 which rollingly engage the main ink drum 2|terminate in roller shafts 36, 3B respectively, which are supported inadjustable sockets indicated generally at 39 and 40 respectively.Although the sockets are adjustable, they are rmly secured to the sidemember 3| by means to be described.

Extending outwardly from the housing 30 and in general alinement withthe roller shafts 36, 38 are push rods 4|, 42 `which act throughcouplings 43, 44 to reciprocate the ink rollers 28 and 29. Suffice it tosay at this point that the couplings 43, 44 are of a novel and improvednature enabling the generally alined shafts 4I, 36, and 42, 38 to belaterally offset by a, limited amount Without interfering with thenature or direction of the reciprocating force applied to the inkrollers. Considering the unit as a whole, then, and without reference tomechanical detail, it will be apparent that the vibrating unit may bereadily mounted on the side frame of a press, rotation of the driveshaft 35 being effective to reciprocate the adjacent ink rollers. Thenclusion of a self-contained and sealed lubricating system (to bediscussed) yincreases the readiness with which the unit may be detachedfor occasional replacement or repair. Conversely, the rollers 28, 29 andthe drum 2| may be removed for cleaning or repair without loosening thehousing or disturbing the vibrating mechanism.

Referring now to the mechanism contained within the housing 30, it willbe seen that the drive shaft 35 is journaled in opposed antifrictionbearings 45 which are mounted in the abutting end portion 21 of thehousing. Supported by the side walls of the housing30 by bearingbracketsk 31, 41 and at right angles to the drive shaft 35 is a drivenshaft 46 (see Fig. 6) which may be rotated by the drive shaft by anydesired means. As shown, this is preferably taken care of by a pair ofbevel gears 48, 49 which are mounted on the drive shaft 35 and thedriven shaft 46 respectively.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided for interconnectingthe driven shaft 46 and the push rods 4|, 42 for reciprocating thelatter. This is accomplished in the present instance by utilizing arocker arm 50 (Fig. 2) which is pivotally supported on a shaft 5| whichextends from side to side within the housing and parallel to the drivenshaft 46. The rocker arm 58 includes an upper portion 50A extending intoengagement with the push rod 4| and a lower portion 50B extendingdownwardly into engagement with the push rod 42. With the arm 50arranged in this manner, limited oscillatory movement thereof may beutilized to cause reciprocation of the push rods.

Inv the practice of the invention, oscillatory movement is imparted tothe rocker arm 50 from atours s the driven shaft 48 by means oi' anoff-center or eccentric mechanism. In the present embodiment the latterincludes an eccentric 52 having an y outer surface 55 which issurrounded by a slide block 53 which is bored to receive it. The slideblock 53 is in close sliding engagement with the rocker arm 50, ridingwithin a slot I formed in a laterally extending portion 50C of therocker arm. Lateral displacement of the block is effectively preventedby integral overhanging edges 58, 58. It will be apparent that rotationof the shaft 46, acting through the eccentric 52, will cause the slideblock to be translated to an orbital path about the center line of shaftI6. The horizontal component of motion ofthe slide block 53, as viewedin Fig. 2, merely causes the block to be moved back and forth in slidingengagement with the edges of the slot 54 while the vertical componentcauses limited oscillatory movement of the rocker arm 58 bodily aboutthe shaft 5|.

The manner in which such oscillatory movement is converted into purelyreciprocating movement of the push rods 4|, 42 is more clearly broughtout by inspection of Figs. 3 and 5. Here it will be seen that the upperand lower ends of the rocker arm 50 carry forked portions 60, 8|respectively. Pivoted within the forked portions on bolts 62 or the likeare U-shaped pieces 63, 6B including slots 65, 61 respectively, arrangedparallel to the plane of movement of the rocker arm. Received well downwithin the slots 65, 81 are the push rods 4|, 42 respectively. Thelatter have ilanges or collars 68, 68 thereon which are rigidly iixed tothe push rods in spaced relation just sufficient to include the U-shapedpieces 63, B4 between them. While it is true that the oscillatorymovement of the upper and lower portions of the rocker arm consists ofboth a horizontal and vertical component of movement, it is clear thatthe structure which has been outlined enables the horizontal componentto be utilized exclusively. The vertical component, which is veryslight, merely results in a small amount of movement of the U-shapedpieces 63, 64 in a kdirection laterally away from the associated pushrods BI, 82,

The use of bushings near each end of the push rods 4|, 42 insures thatthey are guided in paths of pure reciprocating movement. Thus each pushrod has an outer end bushing 69 and an inner end bushing 10. The latterare preferably formed of bronze or like material carefully machined toprevent lateral play. Associated with each of the bushings 69 is a key1| which rides in an axial slot 13 of the associated push rod to preventrotation of the latter about its axis, being secured by bolts 12.Adjacent the inner end bushing 18 is a stumng box containing chevrontype packing material 1B. Pressure may be adjustably applied to thelatter by advancement of a packing sleeve or ferrule to force thepacking material into fluid sealing engagement with the associated pushrod.

Stroke adjustment the present embodiment this is accomplished byutilizing two eccentrics, one lying within the other and by providingmeans for angularly ad- Justing. the position of one with respect to theother. As shown, the innermost eccentric indicated at 18 (Fig. 2) ispreferably machined directly on the shaft. 48. The outer eccentric. inthe form of a sleeve 18, has an inner surface 88 which is insnug-fltting engagement; with the inner eccentric 18, and an o utersurface 55, already referred to, received within the slide block 53. Itwill be understood, of course, that sumcient clearance is allowedbetween the registering parts to enable free relative rotation to takeplace between them.

Provision is made for enabling the inner ecce tric 18 which is integralwith the shaft 48 to be locked in an angularly adjusted position withref spect to the outer eccentric 19. This is accomplished in the presentinstance by using two radial flanges 18A, 19A (Fig. 6) in side-by-siderelation, the ange 18A being keyed to the inner eccentric `18 and theflange 19A being formed as an extensionl of the eccentric sleeve 18. Asa means of locking the flanges in an adjusted position, registeringteeth 82, 83 are machined on the periphery of each at a predeterminedradius. An adjusting and locking collar 84 carrying correspondinginternal teeth is slid over the teeth 82, 83 to prevent relativerotation.

The adjusting collar 84 normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 6in which it bridges the teeth 82, 83 being held in such position by aspring pressed detent 85. When it is desired to change the amount ofeccentric throw" it is merely necessary to force the locking collar 88axially'out of engagement with lthe teeth 88', after which the collar 84(and the ange 19A) may be turned to a new relative position with 'reespect to the flange 18. Rotation of the collar may be accomplished bymeans of a suitable wrench engaging holes 88 in the collar, the correctamount of adjusting movement being deter- (Fig. 3) pivoted to thehousing at its lower edge by means of a pivot pin 90.

Push rod coupling In the operation of a printing press it is frequentlynecessary to use vibrating rollers of vari? ous diameters and it iscommon practice to include adjustable sockets for .the shafts of therollers so that they may be laterally moved to an adjusted position inwhich the correct amount of pressure exists between the roller and theas` sociated drum (see sockets 39, 80, Figs. 2, 3. 5). Although thevariation in roller diameter is generally only a fractional portion ofsuch diameter, nevertheless the problem of coupling a reciprocatingmechanism with an adjustable roller while maintaining the associatedhousing oiltight has not been satisfactorily solved by any prio artarrangements.

In order to appreciate the difculty of coupling itis necessary tounderstand 'a typical arrangement used to eiect roller adjustment. Theadjustable socket 99 may be readily understood by inspection of Figs. 4and 5. Here it will be seen that the roller shaft 39 is mounted in asocket frame 9| which is generally U-shaped in form lying flatly againstthe side frame 3| of the press. 'I'he roller shaft 39 is maintainedseated within the socket frame 9| by means of a pivoted retaining cap 92which is secured thereto by a bolt 94 or the like. The socket frame isrmaintained in contact with the side frame by reason of bolts 95 whichpass through slots 9i machined near the ends of the socket' frame.Included under the heads of the bolts 95 are threaded blocks 90,respectively, which are threadedly engaged by capstan headed adjustingscrews 99.' Fixed to the shank of each screw 99 and spaced from the headthereof is a fixed collar |00, the space between the collar and thescrewhead being occupied by a boss which is U-shaped, being rigidlyintegral with the socket frame 9| and presenting its free endsoutwardly. Each adjusting screw 99, upon being threaded an adjustableamount into the threaded blocks 98, determines the position that thecorresponding side of the socket frame 9| will occupy with respect tothe fastening bolts 95, the range of adjustment being determinedprimarily by the length of the slot 90. It will be, apparent, therefore,that adjusting screws 99 serve to laterally oilset the shaft 36 by anamount which is dependent upon the diameter of the roller 28 and uponthe pressure which is to be exerted upon the drum 2|. Although theroller socket arrangement has been described in detail only inconnection with socket 39, it will be understood that the structure ofsocket 40 carrying shaft 38' is similar in every respect and carries thesame reference numerals.

Considering Fig. 2 and the earlier discussion thereof, it is apparentthat the bushings 69, 10 and the associated packing 14 constrain thepush rod 4| to a purely axial path of movement. In accordance with thepresent invention, the couplings 43, 44 are provided which enable suchaxial movement to be transmitted to the shaft 36 in spite of lateraloffset of the shaft. Such coupling in the present instance (seeespecially Fig. 5) includes a yoke-shaped member |04 bearing inwardlydirected fingers |05, the latter being engaged by spaced collars orflanges |06, |01 mounted at the end of the roller shaft 36. Sinceflanges |06, |01 are preferably mounted for rotation with shaft 96, itisdesirable that the inwardly projecting fingers |05 be of .a nature whichwill reduce friction to a minimum. Accordingly, such fingers are formedas rollers which may freek? rotate about the axis of fastening bolts|09.

It will be observed that the above structure enables the roller shaft 36to be laterally moved with respect to the axis of the push rod withoutaffecting the reciprocating function of the latter. In this connectionit should be noted that the yoke-shaped member |04 is mounted on thepush rod 4| by a, fastening bolt |99 which allows relative angularadjustment of the rod and yoke member. 'I'his enables each yoke member|04 to be angularly positioned in a pla-ne which is perpendicular to thedirection of lateral adjustment of the roller shaft 36. In other wordsthe fingers are so arranged that the offset is in a directionperpendicular to the plane thereof. Such arrangement prevents therollers |05 from "getting in the way of shaft 36 regardless of itslateral positioning. It will be understood, however, that the yokemembers as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are somewhat rotated from the optimumposition to reveal the mounting details.

l 8 The structure outlined immediately above is of great advantage froma practical standpoint since it enables axial reciprocation of a rollerof any desired diameter by reciprocating push rod which is mounted insimple oiltight packing and not laterally adjustable.

Lubrication It has already been stated that the eifective lubrication towhich the unitary vibrator structure is adapted is one of the mainfactors contributing to the readiness with which the unit may beinstalled and to long trouble-free operation. In the present embodimentoil is preferably forced to a point near the top of the housing,descending by gravity to an oil sump at the bottom thereof. It has beenfound that the agitation of the lubricant caused by movement of theparts within the housing insures that all points including the driveshaft bearings 45 are adequately lubricated. In order to simplify thedrawing, only the pump and the driving means therefor is shown in Fig.6. Here it will be observed that the pump consists of a stationary oilchamber ||0 which is bored out to carry a plunger outwardly biased bymeans of a spring H2. The plunger is reciprocated by an auxiliaryeccentric ||4 mounted on the transverse driven shaft 40. It may beincidentally noted that the shoulders defined by the eccentric ||4 serveas stops for fastening both the bevel gear 49 and the main eccentricdrive mechanism.

Upon being reciprocated, the plunger forces entrapped oil outwardlythrough a discharge check valve (not shown), drawing fresh oil inwardlythrough a suction check valve (also not shown) from the bottom of thehousing. The valves are connected to any necessary tubing for .conveyingthe oil in the manner described, such structure being of a well knowntype and understood by those skilled in the art.

Modified embodiment of Figs. 7 to 9 The vibrating unit which has beendescribed immediately above and which serves to reciprocate a singlepair of ink rollers, will be found satisfactory' for most applications.However, where it is desired that more than two vibrating ink rollers beemployed in order to produce a more finely worked ink film, it issometimes desirable to vibrate two pairs of rollers which may or may notengage a common ink drum. Structure for accomplishing the latter isshown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. These views are respectively very similar tothe corresponding Figs. 2, 6 and 3 already dis--` cussed and similarparts have been assigned cor-` responding reference numerals whereverpossible with the addition of the subscript a or b.

The primary differences between this embodiment and that alreadydiscussed are brought out to the best advantage in Figs. 8 and 9. Hereit will be seen that the bevel gear 49a driving the shaft 46a is locatedin the central part of the housing 30a. This enables rocker armeccentrics 52a, 52h to be mounted on opposite sides of the driving bevelgear. In order to balance the forces within the vibrating unit and toproduce the desired ink pattern, the eccentrics 52 are preferablydisplaced in positional phasing by an angle of although other amounts ofdisplacement may be used if desired.

Upon inspection of Figs. 8 and 9 it will be seen that a further dierencelies in the fact that the instant vibrating mechanism has beensimplified by the elimination of means to adjust the throw of asco,

the eccentric. This has merely been done to illustrate that the vibratorconstructed in accordance with the invention may be considerablysimplified without departing from our primary teachings. Although themodified vibrator has been shown driving four rollers, it will beobvious that six or even more, may be `driven if desired from the samevibrator unit.

Rsum f operation K Although the operation of the vibrator unit will b eapparent from the foregoing, it will be helpful to summarize it briey.First of all, let it be assumed that the unit has been removed and is tobe replaced. This merely requires that the inner end 21 (Figs. 2-6) ofthe vibrator housing 30 be brought into engagement with the outer faceof the side frame 3| ofthe press. The two halves of the coupling 34 areslipped together and the fastening bolts 32 inserted. Duringinstallation it is desirable to slide the unit toward its nal place ofattachment in such a direction as to cause the yoke members |04 of thepush rods 4|, 42 to insert the attached roller members |05 in thegrooves provided on the roller shafts 38, 38 respectively.

After the unit has been attached and the rollers 28, 29 properlyadjusted in the sockets 39, 40. power may be applied to the drum 2|.Rotation of the latter transmitted through shaft 33 and thecoupling 34causes rotation of the drive shaft 35 and the bevel gear 48 which iskeyed to it. The

latter produces rotation of the bevel gear 49 and the attached drivenshaft 46 on which the driving eccentric 52 is mounted. Since the slideblock 53 with which the eccentric is in register is constrained againstrotation, orbital movement of the eccentric therein will causereciprocation of the slide block in the cooperating slot 54 togetherwith oscillatory movement of the rocker arm 50 about its shaft 5 I. Suchoscillatory movement is translated into pure reciprocation of push rods4|, 42 by means of the coupling 63, 6B, 68 at Athe ends of the rockerarm. Movement of a given one of the push rods is transferred to theattached yoke member |04, the roller members |05 within the yoke, andthence to the flanges or collars |06, |01 on the associated ink rollershaft. By arranging the push rods on opposite sides of the rocker--shaft 5| and equally spaced therefrom, -the mechanical system is largelybalanced and vibration is reduced to a minimum. In addition, the latterarrangement causes the phasing or instantaneous direction of movement ofthe rollers 28, 29 to be in opposite directions, which produces a verysatisfactory ink pattern. e

As to the adjustment of the amplitude of vibration, this is readilyeffected by lowering the cover 89, moving the adjusting collar 84rearwardly and turning it the desired amount with a suitable wrench.Using techniques well known to those in the mechanical art theeccentrics 18, 19 may be so proportioned that their effect may becompletely neutralized, reducing the amplitude of vibration to zero fora proper setting of the co1- lar 84, or allowing it to be increased toan inch or more. It has been found that the adjusting means disclosedoperates in the manner of a vernier, enabling the desired amplitude tobe chosen very exactly.

The installation and operation of the modied embodiment shown in Figs.7, 8 and 9 is substantially the same as that already described and itwill therefore not be necessary to repeat it. It should be noted.however, that the angular displacement between the two4 eccentrica 82a,

52h enables any dynamic unbalance in the mechanism to be neutralized toan even greater extent and still quieter operation to be achieved.

We claim as our invention:

l. In an inking mechanism for a rotary printing press, the combinationof an oiltight housing, an axially reciprocable push rod projecting outof said housing and having sealing means for preventing the escape oflubricant along the same. a rotary drive shaft extending into saidhousing, means within said housing and driven by said drive shaft forimparting reciprocating motion to said push rod, means mounting arotatively driven roller in general end-to-end relation with said pushrod but allowing for a limited amount of lateral off-set adjustment sothat rollers of various diameters may be accommodated, and a connectorfor connecting said push rod and said roller, said connector includingmeans on said roller dening an annular groove having opposed bearingwalls, a U-shaped yoke on said push rod straddling said annular grooveand carrying fingers projecting mutually inward into said grooves atdiametrically spaced points and in snug engagement with the wallsthereof to produce axial reciprocation of said roller by said push rodeven though said roller is adjusted to a laterally oiset position andwithout interfering with the free rotation thereof.

2. In an inking mechanism for a rotary printing press having a rotatingdrum .and a pair of ink rollers in engagement therewith, an ink rollervibrator comprising in combination a drive shaft coaxially driven bysaid rotating drum, a T- shaped rocker arm pivotally mounted for limitedoscillatory movement in the plane of said ink rollers, the central legof said rocker arm having a longitudinal slot therein', an eccentricrotated by said drive shaft for engaging said slot and impartingoscillating movement to said rocker arm, a pair of push rods inpush-pull engagementwith the laterally extending portions of saidT-shaped rocker arm and arranged to projecttoward said ink rollersrespectively in general alinement therewith, and means forconnecting theprojecting ends of said push rods to said ink rollers respectively tocause reclprocation of the-latter as incident to the rotation of saiddrive shaft.

3. In an inking mechanism for a rotary printing press having a rotatingdrum and a pair of ink rollers in engagement therewith, an ink rollervibrator comprising in combination a drive shaft coaxially driven bysaid rotating drum, a .T- shaped rocker arm pivotally mounted forlimited oscillatory movement in the plane of said ink rollers, thecentral leg of said rocker arm having a longitudinal slot therein, aslide block mounted in said slot and having a circular aperture therein,an eccentric registered in said aperture and rotated by said drive shaftfor imparting oscillating movement to said rocker arm, a pair of pushrods in push-pull engagement with the laterally extending portions ofsaid T-shaped rocker arm and arranged to project toward said ink rollersrespectively in general 'alinement therewith,v and means for connectingthe projecting ends of said push rod to said ink rollers respectively tocause reciprocation of the latter as incident to the rotation of saiddrive shaft.

4. In an inking mechanism for a rotary printlng press, an ink rollervibrator comprising in said press so that one `end thereof is free tomove in a direction generally aiined with the axis of an ink roller, ashaft parallel to the pivoting axis of said rocker arm and arranged tobe driven from the press drive mechanism, an eccentric surface on saiddriven shaft, a sleeve von said eccentric shaft surface and having anouter surface which is eccentric with respect to its inner surface,means for fixing said sleeve to said shaft in a position of angularadjustment, means bearing on `the outer surface of said sleeve forimparting oscillatoryv movement to said rocker arm and means couplingthe end of said rocker arm to said ink rollerfor reciprocating thelatter.

5. In an inking mechanism for a rotary printing `press an ink rollerVvibrator comprising in combination a housing, a rocker arm pivotallymounted in said housing so that one end thereof is free to move in adirection generally alined with the axis of an ink roller, a shaftmounted in said housing parallel to the pivoting axis of said rocker armand arranged to be driven by the press drive mechanism, an eccentricsurface on said driven shaft, a sleeve having an inner surfaceregistering with the eccentric surface on said shaft and having an outersurface which is eccentric with respect to the inner surface thereof,means bearing on the outer surface of said sleeve for impartingoscillatory movement to said rocker arm, and means coupling the end ofsaid rocker arm to said ink roller for reciprocating the latter, saidsleeve and said driven shaft having radially extending anges inside-by-side relation located near the end of said driven shaft andreadily accessible through an aperture in the wall of said housing andmeans for locking said anges in a selected angular relation to vary thethrow of said rocker arm.

6. In an inking mechanism for a rotary printing press the combination ofa housing adapted for mounting inthe side frame of said printing press,axially reciprocable push rods projecting out of said housing and ingeneral alinement with a pair of ink rollers, a rocker arm in saidhousing centrally pivoted for rocking movement in the plane of said pushrod, means coupling said push rods to said rocker arm at points spacedfrom the pivoting axis of the latter, a shaft in said housing parallelto the pivoting axis of said rocker arm and having mounted thereoneccentric means for imparting oscillatory movement to said rocker arm,said push rods being coupled to said rocker arm at points lying onopposite sides of the pivoting axis thereof so that the movement of saidpush rods is oppositely phased, and means associated with said eccentricfor adjusting the throw 'thereof so that the amplitude of reciprocatingmovement oi said push rods may be simultaneously varied.

1. For application to the side frame of a rotary printing press, inwhich are journaled the ends of a coacting ink roller and drum atadjacent points, a self contained roller vibrating unit comprising anoil tight housing, means for detachably securing said housing to theexterior of the side frame, a rotary drive shaft and an axiallyreciprocable push rod extending into said housing in parallelism atpoints corresponding substantially to the center 'spacing of the drumand roller for connection to the latter, means within said housingincluding an eccentric driven by said shaft for reciprocating said pushrod. means also driven by said shaft for circulating lubricant withinthe housing to the bearing surfaces therein.

8. In an ink roller vibrator mechanism for a rotary printing presshaving one or more recipro- 12 cably mounted rollers iii-laterallyspaced relation. the combination comprising a unitary housing forapplication to the side frame of the `printing press and adapted tocontain a body of liquid lubricant, a rotary drive shaft extending intosaid housing and adapted to be driven by a roller in said printingpress, a driven shaft mounted in said housing at right angles to saiddrive shaft, gears coupling said driven and drive shafts, a rockermember pivoted on said housing for rocking movement about an axisparallel to said driven shaft and including means spaced=from therocking'axis for engaging .the end of at least one of said rollers toimpart reciprocating movement thereto, an eccentric on said drivenshaft, and an eccentric-engaging arm rigid with said rocker member tosubject the latter toV limited rocking movement upon rotation of saiddrive shaft, and

means completely contained within said housing and actuated by saiddrive shaft for continuously subjecting the eccentric surfaces and gearsto a bath of lubricant.

9. In a vibrator mechanism for a rotary printing press having an inkroller and a power driven shaft. the combination of an oil tight housinghaving a bracket for supporting the same on the frame of the printingpress, a push rod projecting out of said housing adjacent .said bracketin a direction toward said printing press and in general alinement withsaid ink roller, sealing means for preventing the escape of lubricantalong the push rod as a result'of reciprocating movement of the latter,a rotary drive shaft extending into said housing and lying within saidsupporting bracket, means totally contained Within said housing anddriven by said drive shaft for imparting pure reciprocating movement tosaid push rod, and a connector for connecting the outer end of said pushrod to the shaft of said ink roller, said connector being so constructedand arranged as to impart reciprocating movement to the ink roller whileallowing rotation of the roller and limited misalinement of the push rodand roller, said drive shaft being disengageable from the power drivenshaft in the region of the end of the bracket so that the housing andthe associated parts may be disengaged from said press as a unit withoutsubstantially affecting the oil-tight nature of the same.

10. In a vibrator mechanism for a rotary printing press having an inkroller and a power driven shaft, the combination of a housing, anintegrally formed bracket for supporting said housing on the frame ofthe printing press with a portion of the housing in overhanging relationthereto, a push rod projecting out of the overhanging portion of thehousing in a direction toward said printing press and in generalalinement with the shaft of said ink roller, sealing means forpreventing the escape of lubricant along the push rod as a result ofreciprocating movement of the latter, a rotary drive shaft extendinginto said housing and completely enclosed within said supportingbracket, means totally contained within said housing'and driven by saiddrive shaft for imparting pure reciprocating movement to said push rod,and a connector lying adjacent said bracket for connecting the outer endof said push rod to the shaft of said ink roller, said connector havingmeans providing a finger and groove connection with said ink rollershaft for causing the same to be captive in the axial direction butallowing disengagement when the rod and shaft are offset from oneanother, said drive shaft being disengageable from the power drivenshaft at a. point adjacent the end of the bracket so that the 13 housingand the associated parts may be disengageable from said press as a unit.

11. In a vibrator mechanism for a rotary printing press having areciprocable ink roller and pro- ,viding a limited amount of oilsetadjustment therefor to accommodate various roller diameters, thecombination comprising a housing having means for fastening the same tothe frame of the printing press with a portion thereofspaced from theframe and overhanging the end of the ink roller, an axially reciprocablepush rod projecting out of said housing in generally alined relationwith said ink roller, a rotary drive shaft extending into said housingand having provision for connection to the press drive, means withinsaid housing and driven by said drive shaft for imparting reciprocatingmotion to said push rod, said roller having an annular groove formed inthe end portion of the shaft thereof, said push rod having at itsexposed end a U-shaped yoke axially alined therewith and having portionsstraddling said annular groove, iingers on said yoke projecting mutuallyinward into said groove at diametrically spaced points and in snugengagement with the walls of the groove, means permitting adjustment ofsaid yoke about its axis and for fixing the yoke in a position in whichthe ilngers lie in a plane perpendicular to said lateral offset. 12. Inan inking mechanism for a rotary printing press having a rotating drumand a recipro- 'i4 cable ink roller mounted for rolling on the same andhaving an outwardly projecting shaft, the combination comprising, avibrator housing, a drive shaft mounted in said housing and adapted tobe coaxially coupled to said rotating drum, a rocker arm pivoted forrocking movement in a plane which is parallel to said drive shaft,eccentric means rotated by said drive shaft and engaging said rocker armto oscillate the latter, a push rod mounted in said frame forreciprocation parallel to said drive shaft and in general alinement withthe projecting shaft of the ink roller, said push rod having provisionfor push-pull engagement with said rocker arm at one of its ends andcarrying means at its other end for imparting pure axial reciprocatingmovement to said roller shaft.l l

CURTIS S. CRAFTS.

WILLIAM J. NOLAN.

WILLIAM G. ZIMMER..

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 173,085 Tucker Feb. 1, 18761,452,050 Kellogg Apr. 17, 1923 1,563,014 Carroll Nov. 24, 19252,282,655 Huck May 12, 1942

